Causes: Community & Neighborhood Development, Economic Development, Homeless & Housing, Housing Rehabilitation

Mission:
Founded in 1981 by students and faculty of Princeton University, Isles is an award-winning community development and environmental nonprofit organization. Isles’ mission is to foster self-reliant families in healthy, sustainable communities.

Isles is known for its comprehensive approach to complex community challenges, offering services such as:

• Green job training
• Green real estate development
• Community gardening
• Homebuyer education
• Foreclosure prevention counseling
• Community planning
• Youth training and education
• Micro-business loans
• Environmental education and remediation

To broaden its impact, Isles develops easily replicable approaches to community development. Isles works with hundreds of public, private, and academic partners to achieve innovative, cost-effective ways to accomplish its mission. In addition to community-based development services, Isles works to change regional and statewide policies that concentrate poverty, undermine schools, promote sprawl, and foster racial segregation.

Geographic areas served: Trenton, NJ

Programs:
Isles’ Center for Energy and Environmental Training collaborates with private industry, labor, state and local government, higher education, and community-based organizations to train New Jersey residents for green jobs that improve the environment and stimulate the economy. Training is available for community members seeking entry-level positions in green careers, workers wishing to advance their skills and certifications, and employers seeking customized training for their employees.